BALTIMORE (WBFF) — As the search continues for Jason Billingsley, the suspect accused of killing tech CEO Pava LaPere, the concern surrounding legislation to target repeat violent offenders is back in the spotlight.

Billingsley was named a suspect Tuesday, Sept. 26, during a news conference with Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore Police Acting Commissioner Richard Worley, and other leaders. During the news conference, Worley said Billingsley had a criminal record and was a repeat violent offender.

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“We are tired of talking about the same people committing the same crimes over and over again,” Mayor Scott said. “We had someone kill another person in a brutal way that we have to get off the streets before it’s done again to someone else.”

According to court records, Billingsley pleaded guilty in 2015 to first-degree sex offense stemming from an incident in 2013. He was sentenced to 30 years, with all but 14 years suspended and was released in October 2022 for good behavior.

In Annapolis, lawmakers had several opportunities to pass legislation targeting repeat violent offenders by implementing tougher penalties. However, the plan never gained enough traction.

“I think before the Senate would take it up again, we would want to see some movement on the other chamber, so we know that we aren’t sort of throwing it to the wind,” Senate President Bill Ferguson said in 2022.

The Violent Firearms Offenders Act was a priority for former Gov. Larry Hogan, who said the plan not passing was a frustration that stuck with him for years.

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“We had legislation that we thought was critically important and every, single year, leaders from Baltimore City killed it. That’s my biggest frustration as governor – that we couldn’t get that fixed,” he said in December 2022. “But, it wasn’t for a lack of trying, it was a lack of cooperation.”

The plea deal offered to Billingsley was approved by Judge Emanuel Brown of Baltimore City. Providing information like that to the public was the goal of another priority of Hogan’s while he was in office – the Judicial Transparency Act aimed to produce a report card for judges, detailing the sentences and plea deals offered with the judge’s name. The plan ultimately passed, but without the names of the judges released with the data.

“You will get a better sense of what’s working and what’s not,” Del. Luke Clippinger, D-Baltimore City, said at the time.

However, critics argued that without the names of the judges associated with the sentencing data, the information wasn’t as helpful.

“This creates as much transparency as a brick wall,” Sean Kennedy said, of the Maryland Public Policy Institute. “They are hiding behind a closed courtroom and their robes.”

FOX45 News sent questions to the Baltimore City Delegation asking about repeat violent offenders and if they would support legislation to implement tougher penalties. Only Del. Caylin Young responded to FOX45 News.

“I am open to considering any legislation that enhances public safety,” Del. Young said. “However, it's important to note that simply increasing penalties may not be the sole solution to achieving improved public safety.”

Zack Smith, a criminal justice policy expert at the Heritage Foundation, said LaPere’s death should be a wake-up call for lawmakers to act on legislation targeting repeat violent offenders.

“Repeat violent offenders are cut sweetheart deals from prosecutors. Too many politicians have bought into this idea that we have mass incarceration,” Smith said. “Under this very liberal view, you’re going to be releasing repeat violent offenders back into the community with devastating consequences.”

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